fumble

1 of 2

verb

fum·​ble ˈfəm-bəl 

fumbled; fumbling ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly

b

: to make awkward attempts to do or find something

fumbled in his pocket for a coin

c

: to search by trial and error

d

: blunder

2

: to feel one's way or move awkwardly

3

a

: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a ground ball

b

: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it

transitive verb

1

: to bring about by clumsy manipulation

2

a

: to feel or handle clumsily

b

: to deal with in a blundering way : bungle

3

: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner

4

a

: misplay

fumble a ground ball

b

: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running

fumbler

ˈfəm-b(ə-)lər 

noun

fumblingly

ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb

fumble

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of fumbling

2

: a fumbled ball

Synonyms of fumble

Verb

• blow
• boot
• botch
• ruin
• dub
• bungle
• murder
• muff
• foul up
• flub

Noun

• mistake
• blunder
• error
• stumble

Examples of fumble in a Sentence

Verb

She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.

They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.

He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.

He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.

Noun

played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Basabe, 48, fumbled his way through the trial, often seeming confused about the legal proceedings. — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

The Sky rank 13th in the league with a 7-16 record after fumbling a fourth-quarter lead Sunday in a loss to the Dallas Wings. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

Noun

Herbert boasts 16 picks, 13 fumbles and four lost for 20 total. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 July 2026

Hargrave also had 31 total pressures, 24 hurries, three quarterback hits and forced one fumble. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish fumla to fumble

First Known Use

Verb

1534, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fumble

• bumble
• crumble
• grumble
• humble
• jumble
• mumble
• rumble
• stumble
• tumble
• umbel

Kids Definition

fumble

1 of 2 verb

fum·​ble ˈfəm-bəl 

fumbled; fumbling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to feel about for or handle something clumsily

fumbler

-b(ə-)lər 

noun

fumble

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of fumbling

2

: a fumbled ball